Ren Yuanhao and Xiao Yue exited the shop, and the pedestrians on the street gradually increased. Skyscrapers reached into the clouds, and lights blazed as if it were daytime, swallowing the light of the entire starry sky.
"Are you really my customized boyfriend?"
Xiao Yue's voice was very low, filled with disbelief.
"That's right, I am a DiDi date-finder, Ren Yuanhao."
Ren Yuanhao reiterated, then led her through the crowd to the electric scooter.
"Hey, isn't your company a bunch of scammers?"
Xiao Yue looked at the pink electric scooter parked in front of them. Although it was cute and small, as delicate as she was, it did not match Ren Yuanhao's temperament at all. Therefore, she felt it was necessary to consider the appraiser's reminder.
"Don't worry, our company is listed, so you can rest assured. As for this electric scooter, it's naturally for low-carbon environmental protection, yes, low-carbon environmental protection."
Ren Yuanhao wiped the sweat from his forehead and explained haphazardly.
"So you're planning to take me to the Lan Ting Rose Hotel on this little electric scooter?"
"Don't underestimate the humble. Don't worry, I'm a very stable rider." Ren Yuanhao used to have a small electric scooter when he worked at a taekwondo gym. After someone stole the battery, he switched to walking.
"How can you be so sure I'll go with you?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Ren Yuanhao froze.
Indeed, when he used to take orders, it was simple and direct. This time, however, it was different because he hadn't appeared at the meeting place according to the established rules but had met the employer in advance. Thus, when she spoke those words, Ren Yuanhao's mind felt like a short-circuited light bulb, immediately dimming.
Xiao Yue chuckled, and a hint of life finally appeared on her slightly pale face. "You're quite interesting. Alright, I'll ride this little electric scooter, especially since young master Ren shielded me from that scamming appraiser."
Thus, the two well-dressed individuals, wearing helmets, rode the little electric scooter, which traveled at a speed of no more than 30 miles per hour, towards the four-star hotel.
During the ride, the wind lifted Xiao Yue's loose hair, which cascaded like a dark waterfall, tickling the night sky. The rising high-rise buildings slowly receded, and Xiao Yue had a sense of unreality, as if she were walking in an old silent film, with time gradually rewinding.
She involuntarily hugged Ren Yuanhao in front of her. Perhaps she was mistaking him for someone's shadow. Of course, this scene might also have appeared in a breezy, starless old night.
"Hey, Ren Yuanhao, why would you want to do this kind of job?"
Xiao Yue was very curious. With his outstanding looks and demeanor, he could easily become a popular star with a little packaging. Why would he do this kind of peculiar job?
"You're not the first to ask that question. To be honest, I used to be a total shut-in, only facing bowls of instant noodles and greasy computer screens, watching live streams, and playing games. I was even nicknamed 'girl-repellent.' Hard to imagine, right?"
"So you feel it's an honor to be needed by girls now?"
Ren Yuanhao said righteously, "This world is so boring. Perhaps on a certain night, you'll go through your entire phonebook but find no one to talk to. Then you'll have to climb to the rooftop like a defeated dog, stand at the highest point you can reach. At that moment, you look up at the sky and find not a single star. Only then will you realize that the so-called sense of loneliness has been the same since ancient times, so lonely that even the stars want to fall. Then you'll look towards those places with bright lights and wine. The bigger the city, the more bars there are because more people need to vent. The world cannot digest this negative energy. Only when those lonely people gather can they find fleeting warmth from each other. But when the song ends, that sense of loneliness will rush back to you like a receding tide."
The night wind, with its seven parts of stale air, brushed past them. Xiao Yue didn't interrupt his lengthy speech. Instead, she rested her face against his back.
Ren Yuanhao felt his back soak with warm droplets. Xiao Yue said with a hint of crying in her voice, but she smiled and said, "I didn't expect young master Ren to be a philosopher."
"It's not philosophy; I just understand it deeply."
Soon, the Lan Ting Rose Hotel appeared under the night sky. Amidst the flashing neon lights, it looked like a giant monster lurking in the dark.
Xiao Yue got off the scooter and didn't bother with a mask. She was a washed-up celebrity anyway, and people in such grand hotels likely wouldn't recognize her. So, she walked with purpose and entered the building.
Ren Yuanhao, after parking the scooter, followed her. As soon as they stepped into the hotel, he felt like he had entered an ice cellar. Soft piano music played, and blue and white lights intertwined, creating a mysterious atmosphere throughout the hotel.
"May I ask why you wanted to pawn such a valuable item?"
After they were seated, Ren Yuanhao asked first to ease the somber atmosphere.
"I needed money. My father has uremia and needs a kidney transplant to extend his life. I haven't received any announcements for a long time, and recently, I broke up with my boyfriend. I~"
Xiao Yue suddenly stopped and gave an unnatural smile. "You don't think I'm just telling sob stories, do you?"
"No, I think that ring is very important to you. I just wanted to stop you at the time, but I didn't expect you wanted to pawn it to save your father."
"Even if you hadn't stopped me, I would have been agonizing over it for a long time."
As Xiao Yue spoke, she carefully caressed the jade bracelet on her hand. Just then, the voice of a waiter came from the hall speakers: "Could the owner of the pink electric scooter please move it immediately? Thank you for your cooperation."
"It seems I've blocked someone's path. You have some drinks first; I'll be back in a moment."
Ren Yuanhao walked out quickly. As soon as he stepped outside, he saw a top-spec Tesla drive in diagonally. The blinding headlights shone directly into his eyes, almost making him unable to open them!
At this moment, a man poked his head out of the car window. He was wearing sunglasses late at night, and his face was completely covered by a mask. Seeing Ren Yuanhao merely raising his hand to shield his eyes without any other action, the man's temper flared.
"Hey, what's up? Are you not going to move your pink electric scooter?"
Ren Yuanhao thought to himself, why not park in any of the numerous parking spaces, but insist that I move my vehicle? Isn't this looking for trouble?
Although he was a little unhappy, he still moved the scooter away, allowing the man's car to park in the spot.
"Tsk tsk, can such a run-down person even come to the Lan Ting Hotel?" He sneered at the attendant twice, gave the attendant a tip of several hundred, and then said sternly, "Keep an eye on my car. I'm afraid this kid's scooter might scratch my car later."